My kitten won't stop sucking on me and I don't know if I should let him or stop it. He has not been to the vet yet, but I'm trying to find solutions now before I go. Help!
Anika
Kittens do that many times when they have been taken away from their mothers too young or were weaned too early. Just let it suck, it will help it feel comfortable. You can give it some cloth like an old t-shirt to suck on also if you get too tired of it. Just put your finger inside the shirt until it starts sucking, then move your finger away. They usually out grow it after a few months, at least mine did.
Susan from ThriftyFun (06/08/2005)
By ThriftyFun
We once had a cat that had its own "comfy toy", a soft stuffed baby toy. It was a source of comfort to him and we saw no harm in him doing it. He purred and "kneaded" it until he fell asleep. I wouldn't worry about it. (06/08/2005)
By mitsy
My kitten, who is now 12 years old, still has this harmless behavior. He is particularly fond of cotton fabrics. Velcro is his name and he definitely clings to me like Velcro. Velcro was abandoned by his mother at the age of 4 weeks and almost died (several of his siblings did). I guess I became his mother at that time. He loves to be near me. He sleeps over my head, on my pillow and kneads and purrs all night long. He is comforted by this so I don't mind. Ask the vet what he or she thinks about the behavior. But I wouldn't be too concerned. (06/08/2005)
By Michelle
My cat Mariah did that also when tiny, but he'd been taken from his mum too early, the vet told me. He did grow out of it. He's now the most affectionate of all my cats. He luvs snuggling and cuddling and kissing. Don't despair. (06/21/2005)
By Spook
My cat does the same thing to me! I got my Christian, long haired grey/brown tabby back in September of 05 when he was 8 weeks old. He started the day I brought him home. He would lay in bed with my boyfriend and I and immediately start kneading my head and suckling my hair while purring loudly. My boyfriend couldn't stand it and I was a little nervous at first because I had never seen this behavior before. People told me that he would probably stop when he got older, but this has yet to happen.
He is now 15lbs and 9 months old and he is still kneading and suckling. My vet told me that I am "mommy" and this is why he does it. He was probably (most definitely) taken from his mom too early. Kittens knead their mothers while suckling milk, it helps release the milk. Take it as a compliment, he loves you very much and is content with you. You are mommy.
My vet also informed me that this behavior is never to be punished. It does hurt, I know. Sometimes I feel like his claw is going to get stuck in my head, lol. It can be very annoying, especially right before bed and early in the morning. My cat does it at all hours of the day if I am in bed! But, I continue to let him do it and he purrs and purrs. Hope this helps. (04/05/2006)
By Leah
I have found a catsifier (pacifier for kittens and cats). It's a pillow with a fake fur cat cut out sewn in the pillow and on the belly of the cat are 4 pacifier nipples. The action is a soothing action for them like a child sucking their thumb. The catsifier gives them a safe area and it's not harassing you or your children or ruining any of your blankets. Go to catsifier.com (01/04/2007)
By Laurie
My kitten sucks on my lips, my ears, my fingers, my toes, etc. I find he gets deterred if I blow on his face whenever he gets near. Or if you give him a tiny nip on the ear. (06/17/2007)
By Daisy
I also have a kitten that does this. I am curious, how many of these cats are male and how many female? Ozzy would suck on anyone or thing he could get his mouth on when we first got him. Me, my kids, and my cat. Now, the other cat is 5 years old and was a bit spooked at first, since he is a male, but he has even accepted it.
Ozzy no longer sucks on me, since I gently but firmly pushed him away and said no in a firm voice. The kids did the same and now he doesn't do it any more to us. It took awhile, but it worked, and it didn't hurt him at all. Pain is never the answer with animals, any more than it is with children, and those who use it against them are cruel and should be punished! (08/10/2007)
WARNING: My cat died of cancer of the stomach pipe caused by sucking clothes containing traces of washing powder and fabric softener. Sucking behavour over time means that your car is ingesting the residue. In the case of your skin it sucks moisturisers and soap chemicals.
Kittens only "grow out of it" in cases where the cat was old enough to leave its mother's milk. Kittens taken from mothers young will be usually be addicted for life so one must gradually cut down.
Photo: Chequie ill and dying from suckling clothes. (06/30/2008)
By
My kitten was doing this to my earlobe and I stopped him when I noticed my earlobe was red and swollen. The sucking became quite aggressive as each month passed. What I did to stop it was put Ozonol on my earlobe. The smell drove him away. I imagine you could use vapor rub ointment too. They hate that smell. Just rub a bit on and eventually the cat will stop bothering your ear and you won't need the ointment anymore. (02/23/2009)
By Kevin
Rory does this as well. Though it's not because it was taken from him mom too early. He was very sick at 3 weeks old, and I nursed him with milk replacement, for a week and a half until he started nursing from mom again.
I'll be giving the Catifier a try. (06/30/2010)
By Chris
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